Orlando is home to various theme park attractions that draw millions of visitors annually. Universal Studios is one of the top theme park attractions in Orlando providing high-quality entertainment, shopping, and dining. Most people know all about the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks, but it's easy to forget about all the fun and entertainment that can be had at the entrance to these parks. This is the location of Universal CityWalk. More than just a park entrance, Universal Citywalk is a huge complex of shopping, dining, and entertainment options with a centerpiece lagoon providing resort transportation.
Know Before You Go
Aside from parking fees, CityWalk does not charge an entrance fee. You can walk around, look at the shops, check out late-night entertainment, or dine at no additional cost. Unlike the nearby theme parks, CityWalk stays open quite late, only closing at 2 a.m. After 6 p.m., complimentary self-parking is available. Otherwise, Prime Parking starts at $50 and regular parking costs $30. Valet parking is also available. Standard parking fees can be reimbursed when you buy at least two matinee movie tickets at Cinemark.
CityWalk is roughly a 15-minute walk from Universal Studios, but you can also take a shuttle. There are some age restrictions to be aware of. Guests under 18 cannot enter CityWalk after 9 PM from Friday through Sunday and will be required to leave at this time unless they are with a parent, staying at a Universal Hotel, or are seeing a movie at Cinemark.
Best Places to Eat
Universal CityWalk is bursting with delicious places to eat. If you're craving something cool and sweet, you can't miss Toothsome milkshakes featuring fantastic toppings and flavors. For a simply unique dining experience, you have to try Burgushi. The strange name is a fusion of burgers and sushi, and the restaurant is full of unique dishes and exotic cocktails. You'll also find a Voodoo Doughnut shop here where you can indulge in traditional or fun whimsical flavors like Grape Ape.
Sports fan at your party? You won't have to miss the game if you stop by NBC Sports Grill & Brew for over 100 beers, a wide selection of entrees and pub food. Catch the game, eat dinner, and then play a round of foosball. If pizza is more your thing, you can't miss out on the stone-baked pies at Red Oven Pizza Bakery.
Best Places to Shop
If you're shopping at the Universal CityWalk, you have to stop at the huge Universal Studios Store jam-packed with all the gifts and souvenirs from Universal City that you could ever want. You can also have any purchases in the theme parks delivered to this store where you can pick them up as you head out.
Undoubtedly, the Universal Studios Store is the top spot at CityWalk for visitors looking to pick up gifts and souvenirs. However, there are plenty of other shops and boutiques on CityWalk to check out. One popular store is the Quiet Flight Surf Shop. Whether you like to surf, skate, or just like the fashion, this shop features all the top brands from the surf and skate scene, including Billabong, Quicksilver, Volcom, Hurley and more.
Top Entertainment for Kids
Universal CityWalk has something for everyone when it comes to entertainment. If you're looking for kid-friendly entertainment, look no further than the Hollywood Drive-In Golf Course. This attraction offers two mini-golf courses with classic sci-fi and horror themes from the 1950s. Golf your way through a haunted house course, or a spooky space worm sci-fi course.
Universal Cinemark is always a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults. If the weather's not great outside, you can go inside and take in a flick on the big screen. Seating is extra comfy with oversized recliners and footrests. Another kid-friendly activity is CityWalk's Rising Star karaoke venue. Rising Star is open to all ages with free admission on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Newly opened is Universal’s Great Movie escape, an all-ages experience where guests can choose between a Jurassic World themed room, or one themed to Back to the Future. Being somewhere in between standard escape rooms and walk-through attractions, these rooms let guests immerse themselves in the worlds of these films while solving fun and engaging puzzles. There’s no need to worry about having too many or too few people in your party to solve the puzzles, as they’re adjusted accordingly to assist with completion. Tickets cost $39.99, or groups of up to 8 can purchase a private experience ticket, for $240.
Top Entertainment for Adults
Rising Star is an excellent place for adults-only karaoke on Fridays and Sundays. If music is your thing, there are also many places to take in live music. Check out the concert calendar at Hard Rock Live, enjoy reggae bands at Bob Marley's Tribute To Freedom, or Jimmy Buffet cover bands at Margaritaville. As mentioned, Universal CityWalk becomes an adult-only space after 9 p.m. on weekends.
There are several bars and nightlife establishments to choose from at CityWalk. Fat Tuesday is a counter-service bar with two locations at CityWalk. The cocktail prices are reasonable and the lines are generally manageable. You can also opt for getting your cocktail in a souvenir cup. Another fun bar is Lone Palm Airport. Set up in Jimmy Buffet's actual seaplane, this bar gives you the waterfront tiki bar experience with excellent appetizers and creative drinks. It's always 5 o'clock somewhere!
The previously mentioned Great Movie Escape experience also features two bars with drinks themed to Jurassic World, Back to the Future, and classic cinema as a whole. A few of the options include the Back to the Future inspired “Hoverboard Highball” and the Jurassic World themed “Raptor Bite”. Visitors do not need to have reservations for the escape room experience to partake at these bars, the only payment required is for your drinks.